LINKEDIN POST
#BrainFactMonday – How To Boost Your Mood: Express Gratitude
Posted on 27th March 2023
How can you use your brain best?
You've heard a million times that expressing gratitude is a great practice, and it's easy to see its positive impact on your mood. But what happens behind the scenes, and why it's a vital practice we should all engage with daily? 🧠
When we express gratitude, our brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which can improve our mood and help us feel more positive.
Additionally, gratitude has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety, which can significantly impact our mental and physical health.
👉 Developing a gratitude mindset puts the internal state into a slightly 𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 which, in return, enhances brain functions such as cognitive thinking, problem-solving, perception, working memory and, most importantly, a sense of collaboration. Not to mention that you have higher chances to have precious insights than when in a bad mood. ⚡
👉 Moreover, if you show a consistent grateful attitude, chances are that thanks to our mirror neurons, your team or family members will mirror the same behaviour, contributing to a safer and more pleasant environment.
👉 Expressing gratitude daily will also keep you focused on the positive aspects of your life rather than dwelling on negative experiences (a natural tendency of many of us!).Such a practice can do wonders for you if you're going through a rough time and/or are depressed.𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁?
➡️ Every evening, when you get to bed, ask your partner to share the three things they're most grateful for on that day and share yours. Should you not have a partner, share them in your journal. It will take only a few seconds: it's worth a try!
Keep in mind that the point is not just sharing the three things you're grateful for 𝗕𝗨𝗧 developing the habit of reviewing your day through a positive lens and identifying things that you're still grateful for, no matter how bad or boring that day has been (the key to happiness!).
You may tend to say things such as "Today I'm grateful that I'm healthy".
Nope: too generic. Strive to find something specific daily: "I'm grateful for having had the chance to walk my 10,000 steps today and contribute to my health".
The goal here is to 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁.
Are you giving it a go? What have you to lose, after all...
P.S. Today, I'm grateful I can contribute to others' well-being by sharing my knowledge via LinkedIn posts I love writing! 😜😍
